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Hockey

Remembering the chiefs

Over 25 years ago, an idea was born. Hockey players from across Elgin and Middlesex Counties needed a place to play hockey at the highest level of minor hockey in Ontario. The idea became the 1992-1993 Elgin Middlesex Chiefs AAA Hockey team. The start-up team had some long road trips, as far as Sault Ste. […]

Over 25 years ago, an idea was born. Hockey players from across Elgin and Middlesex Counties needed a place to play hockey at the highest level of minor hockey in Ontario. The idea became the 1992-1993 Elgin Middlesex Chiefs AAA Hockey team. The start-up team had some long road trips, as far as Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette, Michigan. Recently, the team was honoured at the Annual Chiefs Day on October 28.

Little did anybody know, the commitment made by these original players (and their parents) served as the foundation of what would become one of the most respected AAA organizations in Ontario.

We asked a few of those players to tell us about that inaugural season. Here’s what they had to say …

 

Q: Looking back, what was your greatest on-ice memory from that first Chiefs season?

“Playing at the University of Michigan, on its Olympic-sized ice surface.” – Jeff Todd

“Every road trip to the Soo.” – Paul Santagapita

“Losing a very close 2-1 game in the finals of a tournament in Sault Ste. Marie to the Sault Legion, led by Goalie Marty Turco.” – Chris Jones

“Coming together as a team. Taking the next step to becoming better players. We didn’t really win anything, but we had a lot of fun and great experiences.” – Darryl Arnold

“This is kind of embarrassing, but 25 years ago is really hard to remember …” – Ryan Dzoic

 

Q: What was the greatest off ice memory of the first Chiefs season?

“Bus trips … Gapper’s standup comedy on the bus.” – Craig Barnes

“Bus trips through Michigan and Ohio.” – Jeff Todd

“It was the tournaments and bus trips. Lots of fun when I look back on it now.” – Darryl Arnold

 

Q: How far did you travel that first season?

“Our longest trip was to Marquette, Michigan on an exhibition tour.” – Chris Jones

“Marquette, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario a couple of times … Peterborough, Ontario.” – Craig Barnes

 

Q: Who was the team ‘funny guy’?

“Paul Santagapita.” – Chris Jones

“Greg Rose.” – Darryl Arnold

“Paul Santagapita.” – Greg Rose

“J.J Wrobel.” – Ryan Azoic

“Gapper … Paul Santagapita.” – Craig Barnes

“Obviously, me.” – Paul Santagapita

 

Q: Who was the hardest worker?

“Captain Ryan Lale.” – Jeff Todd

“Chris Jones or Troy Matsumoto.” – Paul Santagapita

“J.J. Wrobel.” – Chris Jones

“Jed Whitchurch.” – Greg Rose

“Scott Smith.” – Darryl Arnold

 

Q: Who was the player that always forgot something?

“Scott Smith.” – Chris Jones

“Chris Jones.” – Ryan Dzoic

“I remember that everyone always seemed to “forget” tape, whether it was for your stick or your socks.” – Darryl Arnold

 

Q: Did you ever imagine that the first season back in 1993 would ever turn into a well-respected AAA organization that would still be going 25 years later?

“We all knew it was the start of something good. Our area had lots of talent and just needed a team.” – Jeff Todd

“No, we weren’t sure it would last past a year. The second year we weren’t allowed to play, as our association said no. Once it made it past year two, I felt it might get the legs to last.” – Paul Santagapita

“It was such a new experience, I didn’t even know what AAA was. I played midget and Jr. D in Port Stanley the year before, I turned down signing with the Lakers in Port Stanley in order to give this new team a shot. It was the best decision I ever made. That year was by far my most enjoyable year of hockey. Most of us are still in the area, and the best part is we can go weeks, months or years without seeing each other but when we do bump into another member of that team we can pick up right where we left off and it’s just like it was back when we were playing. My experience playing Chiefs in that inaugural season is something that I will never forget, and I will always speak very fondly of that group of guys.” – Chris Jones

“I did! I felt like there was enough talent and a need for the small-town kids to have a AAA team.” – Ryan Dzoic

“It’s great to see the development of the Chiefs organization over the years. Now that they finally have a home is fantastic, and it’s great to see the alumni that have advanced in hockey through Junior, College and Professional levels. It’s kinda cool knowing that some of us were a part of naming the organization and choosing the colours, and to know that both have stuck through the years.” – Craig Barnes

 

Q: Any advice to the Chiefs players of today?

“Enjoy … have fun … cherish the friendships … be respectful and thankful to parents, coaches and other volunteers for this opportunity … work hard … be a better player/person today than you were yesterday.” – Craig Barnes

“Remember that it’s just a game. Win or lose, the most important thing is to have fun.” – Darryl Arnold

“Enjoy these years, and have fun!” – Ryan Dzoic

“Enjoy every moment. It doesn’t seem like it now, but you will look back on this experience one day and really appreciate it. We started out as a group of misfits from St. Thomas, Port Stanley, Lambeth and West Lorne and ended up becoming one hell of a team that in October nobody had ever heard of but by March anyone who followed high-end midget hockey, be it a fan or a scout, knew exactly who the Chiefs were.” – Chris Jones

“Enjoy each day you have with your teammates and never take it for granted. Work hard and have fun. You may only get a few opportunities to play at that level, so make it count. Thank your parents and coaches for all the time they put in for you to be where you are.” – Paul Santagapita

 

www.elginmiddlesexchiefs.com

Submitted by Elgin Middlesex Chiefs

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